3 We're about two weeks away from Opening Ceremonies for the Winter Olympics in Sochi. But this year's excitement is being overshadowed by a growing terrorist threat. International security officials say there hasn't been a threat of this nature, and strength -- in the history of the games. On the heels of two suicide bombers and deadly explosions - Russian security services announced they may be looking for as many as four "black widows" dispatched to carry out terrorist attacks related to the Winter Olympics, including at least one woman believed to be in or near Sochi. Wanted posters have gone up throughout the Olympic city, of one suspected terrorist - 22-year-old Ruzanna i- BRAG-i-MO-va - a widow of an Islamic militant killed by Russian forces last year. Channel 4's Adrienne Moore has been digging deeper into this story. She joins us LIVE on the Southbank with how a local homeland security expert says tourists and athletes alike can protect themselves....Adrienne? 3 3 3 3 Homeland security expert, Rick Parker echoes what the State Department has been saying for weeks now - TRAVEL AT YOUR OWN RISK! He says the Winter games are an attractive target for terrorists... and believes anyone looking for the Olympic experience...needs to do their homework... and have a strategy in place...before they pack their bags. 3 00-1011-1956-591'02-1'06 IT'S THE BIGGEST STAGE...FOR SPORTS ELITE. BUT WHERE THE WORLD COMES TOGETHER IN PEACE...TO CELEBRATE ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT... IS UNDER SIEGE. Rick Parker/Homeland Security Expert 50:33-42 BUT WITH THE WINTER OLYMPICS OPEN IN SOCHI, RUSSIA SOME TWO WEEKS AWAY... ATHLETES ARE BEING FORCED TO FOCUS ON MUCH MORE THAN JUST FINE TUNING THEIR PROGRAMS... AN ONLINE VIDEO SURFACED SUNDAY - WHERE AN ISLAMIST MILITANT GROUP THREATENS A "SURPRISE" ATTACK IS IN STORE FOR THOSE ATTENDING THE GAMES. Rick Parker/Homeland Security Expert 43:04-18 BUT IT APPEARS PLANNING A TRIP TO RUSSIA IS THE LAST THING ON THE MINDS FOR MANY... HERE IN JACKSONVILLE.Jimmy Pace/Jacksonville Resident 58:35-47 ' Bobbie Roset/Jacksonville Resident 56:38-41 Walter Pace/Jacksonville Resident 57:44-50 THE STATE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTS TRAVELERS AVOID CARRYING LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY OR OTHER VALUABLES ON THEM...AND SHOULD ONLY USE MARKED TAXI SERVICES OR PRE-ARRANGE TRANSPORTATION THROUGH A HOTEL CONCIERGE TO GET AROUND. THEY RECOMMEND KEEPING PHOTOCOPIES OF PASSPORTS, VISAS, CREDIT CARDS AND TRAVEL ITINERARY IN A HOTEL SAFE... AND WITH A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND. AND - THEY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO KEEP CELL PHONES WELL CHARGED, AND PURSES WALLETS AND ELECTRONICS SECURED WHILE MOVING AROUND THE CITY. For anyone at home tonight who is thinking about - or has already made plans to go to the Olympics - the State Department recommends that you enrollin its Smart Traveler Enrollment Program or STEP. It allows you to get security updates and makes it easier for the nearest US Embassy to get in touch with you in the event of an emergency. 3 What is Russia's President, Vladimir Putin saying about this terrorist threat? Adrienne: He recently did an interview with ABC News, saying he will do whatever it takes to keep athletes and tourists safe. He's also stressed that he has plenty of security in place - including some 40-thousand police officers and soldiers in the Sochi region.

SOCHI, Russia -

The opening ceremonies at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, are just two weeks away. The usual excitement over the Olympic games has already been overshadowed this year by a growing terrorist threat to those who plan on attending the games.

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“These folks over there are not playing, so I think it’s essential for folks that are planning on going over there – you’ve got to take this for serious, for real,” said Homeland Security expert Rick Parker.

International security officials say there hasn’t been a threat of this nature and strength in the history of the Olympic games. Russian security services announced Monday that they may be looking for as many as four “black widows” dispatched to carry out terrorist attacks related to the Winter Olympics.

Security services said those “black widows” include a woman who is believed to be in or near Sochi.

Police said that wanted posters have gone up throughout Sochi of one suspected terrorist, 22-year-old Ruzan Ibragimova, a widow of an Islamic militant killed by Russian forces last year.

Parker echoes what the State Department has been saying for weeks now -- people will be traveling at their own risk. Parker said the winter games are an attractive target for terrorists, and he believes anyone looking for the Olympic experience needs to do their homework and have a strategy in place before they pack their bags.

"If I was an athlete going to the Olympics, security wouldn't get in the way of my dream. I don't know if there's any athlete who wouldn't say the same thing,” said Parker.

Athletes are being forced to focus on much more than just the fine-tuning of their event. A video surfaced online Sunday of an Islamist militant group threatening a surprise attack for those attending the games.

“If you’re not paying attention to the news from Europe, you’re not doing your due diligence. If you’re planning a trip over there, you need to be paying attention,” said Parker.

Many of the people Channel 4 spoke with Monday night said they’re planning to watch the games safely from the comfort of their living room this year.

“Why travel? Stay here. Stay safe," said Jacksonville resident Jimmy Pace. "I wouldn’t go. I feel sorry for the Olympics, but honestly, it’s in the wrong spot. Why did they ever put the Olympics in the middle of a war zone?”

The State Department suggests Olympic travelers avoid carrying large amounts of money or valuables on them during the games. The State department is also recommending travelers take extra precautions and leave copies of their passports, visa’s and travel itinerary in a hotel safe, or with a family member or friend. They are also encouraging people to make sure to keep their cellphones well charged in case of an emergency.

“You need to look at this very seriously, in terms of if something does happen, what are my contingency plans?” said Parker.

The State Department recommends anyone that plans on traveling to Sochi enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. It allows people to get security updates and makes it easier for the nearest U.S. Embassy to get in touch with people in the event of an emergency.

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